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Ask HN: What book changed your life?

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Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#341

Post by jkingsbery »

Besides ones already mentioned, a suggestion I'd like to throw out is the writings of GK Chesterton. I've heard many engineers cite "Chesterton's fence," the idea that you shouldn't get rid of something until you understand why it's there in the first place (which, naturally comes up a lot in software engineering). I haven't come across many engineers though that have actually read one of his books.

His non-fiction books are easy to read and full of lots of wonderful turns-of-phrase. A lot of what he wrote back in the day sounds like it could be written today. There is a fair amount of his books that was very of-the-moment, making references to people from the time that I suppose were well known then that you need to read around.

I've only read two of his fiction books (Napoleon of Notting Hill and The Man who was Thursday), both of which are really funny.

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#343

Post by bhrgunatha »

shaggie76 wrote: post #182

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is a delightful introduction into Taoism that opened my mind to eastern philosophy as a young adult.

I directly attribute daily meditation to reading The Tao of Pooh. It was a parting gift as I left to go travelling.

Although I didn't settle on Taoism, like you, it introduced and opened my mind to what I saw as an alternatives to religion.

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#345

Post by uwagar »

yashg wrote: post #86

Atomic habits. Last year I had just came back from 3 days in Hospital for extremely high blood pressure. I took up walking as a daily workout and listened to Atomic Habits audiobook. It provided me enough motivation to continue and build a new habit which has not become a part of my daily routine. I am healthier and in a much better space mentally as well.

what was your bp readings if i may ask?

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#346

Post by jayavanth »

skilled wrote: post #39

I think the only book I can recall having a direct impact on my conscious awareness was The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle[0]. The book is very easy to read and quite enjoyable with everything that it includes. I definitely recommend to check it out. [0]: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenme...

Same! As you mentioned: "What is my next thought going to be?" was my trigger as well.

If this book seems too woo-woo for some, or the term God triggers you, you should check out a book called Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Here are other meditations that leads me into the present moment:

   - Am I alive?

   - Do nothing for 30-60 mins

   - Who am I?

   - What do I know for certain?

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#347

Post by foogazi »

cinntaile wrote: post #207
foogazi wrote: post #21

Peak by Erickson and Pool There is no innate talent - it takes practice and repetition to build those capabilities Scary

It's better to believe this because it motivates to practice but it's definitely more nuanced than claiming there is no innate talent.

Any sources to explore the nuances ?

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#348

Post by kirse »

tasty_freeze wrote: post #250
no-dr-onboard wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m so excited by this comment. 1) As gp said, the historical grammatical hermeneutic is the way to go for interpretation. And 2) the book of Ecclesiastes is definitely a beautiful way to stay grounded. Just the mere fact that Solomon, the author, had access to everything his age could offer and still ended up writing Ecclesiastes Ch 11 is mind blowing. Everything passes away. This world, your legacy, your wealth, me…

> Nihilism then?”. The Bible unabashedly says “yes, if you don’t have God” I am not trying to argue theology here, just giving another perspective. I was raised an an observant Catholic household, and I went every week from ages 5-19 and missed only a few times due to illness. But I never believed, I just don't have a spiritual bone in my body. None of what you quoted from Solomon about the impermanence of our materi…

None of what you quoted from Solomon about the impermanence of our material acquisitions sounds profound -- it seems obvious.

Of course, the answer is always obvious when you've been provided it beforehand.

You state that as-if you somehow shipped from the womb knowing wisdom, when in fact that implicit knowledge you take for granted has been lived and transferred by your ancestors and most certainly derived from your own social and spiritual milieu.

Re: Ask HN: What book changed your life?

#349

Post by lostcolony »

jkingsbery wrote: post #341

Besides ones already mentioned, a suggestion I'd like to throw out is the writings of GK Chesterton. I've heard many engineers cite "Chesterton's fence," the idea that you shouldn't get rid of something until you understand why it's there in the first place (which, naturally comes up a lot in software engineering). I haven't come across many engineers though that have actually read one of his books. His non-fiction b…

Would recommend Manalive amongst his fiction works. Better if you go into it blind than if you read a synopsis.
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